North London residents aren’t giving up in their fight to alter an apartment development they believe is too big for their neighbourhood.

Futurestreets Inc. plans to build six four-storey apartments on a large green space near Banting secondary school.

Area residents oppose the height and density of the 147-unit project and say it will disrupt traffic.

“We’re one-storey condos and we (may) have four stories overshadowing us. The density doesn’t work, the height doesn’t work, the traffic doesn’t work,” said Brian Johnson, who lives on Sherwood Forest Square.

The project was approved this week by city council’s planning and environment committee.

The community will have the opportunity to comment on the plan before it’s voted on by city council, said Michelle Doornbosch, a planner with Zelinka Priamo representing Futurestreets Inc.

“We are continuing to work with staff on traffic issues along Sherwood Forest Square, we are working with the site plan approval,” she said.

“We’re satisfied with the recommendations, hopefully we can finalize things through council.”

The development adheres to city density and zoning requirements and has been altered already with staff and residents’ input.

The height of the buildings was lowered from 4.5 storeys and parking spaces moved from the exterior of the apartments to the interior, meaning the buildings would surround the parking lot. The city also improved the storm sewer requirements to address fears of flooding.

But Johnson hopes more can be done.

“We still have a chance to debate parking and have some influence on environmental concerns and noise and lights, hopefully we can still work with them,” he said.

The development has been approved for 175 parking spaces, too few for 147 units, he believes.

The project illustrates the challenges of infill developments, said Coun. Matt Brown, who worked with residents to address the issues.

“They require a collaborative approach and many conversations with the community, proponents and staff, leading to final recommendations.”